Share files without installing LocalSend, in 3 steps
- Open localfiletransfer.com on both devices. Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android, any browser on a computer.
- Tap the device that should receive the files. On the same Wi-Fi it appears within a few seconds, with its name and model.
- Pick the files, then accept them on the other device. Each file shows a progress bar and a Save button when it arrives.
LocalSend and Local File Transfer compared
| Feature | Local File Transfer | LocalSend |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Nothing, runs in the browser | App on every device |
| Works without internet | No, needs it to connect | Yes, on the same network |
| Different networks | Code or QR code | Same network only |
| Files sent directly between devices | Yes | Yes |
| Group and private chat | Yes | Text messages |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Which one should you use?
- Use LocalSend if you share files often between your own devices, want it to work with no internet at all (for example on a phone hotspot), or prefer open-source software.
- Use this page when you can’t or don’t want to install an app: someone else’s phone, a work laptop, a school computer, or a one-off transfer. It also connects devices on different networks.
If LocalSend can’t find your device
The usual causes are guest Wi-Fi, a VPN, or a firewall blocking local discovery, especially on Windows. Here, a six-digit code joins both devices to the same private room even when they can’t see each other on the network, and an encrypted relay carries the files if a direct connection is blocked.
Other LocalSend alternatives
- PairDrop and Snapdrop: browser tools that work like this page.
- Quick Share: built into Android, with a Windows app from Google.
- AirDrop: built into iPhone, iPad and Mac. See AirDrop for Windows for Apple-to-PC options.
If the other device doesn’t appear
- Check the Wi-Fi. Both devices must be on the same network. Guest networks often keep devices apart.
- Turn off VPNs and ad-blocking apps while you transfer.
- iPhone not showing up? If iCloud Private Relay is on, Safari hides your network, so the iPhone can’t be found nearby. Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap ⓘ next to your network and turn off iCloud Private Relay, or connect with a code instead.
- Tap Scan at the top of the card for a fresh search.
- Use a code. On one device, tap Nearby devices → Create a code; on the other, tap Enter a code or scan the QR code. This works even on different networks or mobile data.
Questions
Is there a LocalSend alternative with no app to install?
Yes. Local File Transfer runs in the browser: open localfiletransfer.com on both devices, tap one and send. Nothing to install.
Does Local File Transfer work without internet like LocalSend?
No. Both devices need internet for a moment to open the page and find each other. On the same Wi-Fi, the files themselves travel over your local network.
Can I use it on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Any device with a modern browser works, including Chromebooks, Linux PCs and tablets.
Why can’t LocalSend find my other device?
Guest networks, VPNs and firewalls often block local discovery. Connecting with a six-digit code works around this because it doesn’t rely on the devices finding each other on the network.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, and we set no file size limit.